I’m Caren Holzman. I run a consultancy practice called Enabling Outcomes
What have been the challenges and discoveries of the lockdown period?
I’ve been really lucky to have had a very good experience in lockdown. It’s been nice to have a pause to reflect, to think, and to educate myself. I’ve been particularly interested in studying Change Management Theory and trying to figure out how I’m going to apply that going forward.
What are your hopes and visions for social finance, in light of the pandemic and other recent events?
If anything, I think lockdown has brought greater focus to the gaps in equality that we currently have in our society. It particularly highlights the role of women – how women have been adversely affected either economically or just by the fact that they are, in most cases, the primary caregivers in families.
I am cautiously optimistic that we are going to see some progress based on lockdown, and based on the movements that we’ve seen during lockdown to address intersectionality; as well as recognising the injustices and the marginalisation of a variety of different populations. Also, really starting to think that if we are going to ‘build back better’, how do we do that in an inclusive and sustainable way?
What does Women in Social Finance mean to you?
Women in social finance is just such a fantastic, dynamic, engaging group of women that really support each other. For me, it’s been just a complete education that’s brought new insights to the way that I see women and the way that I see social finance as an agent for change.
Having women at the investment committee table is a very important element of ensuring inclusive and diverse financing opportunities. And it’s something that (because I’ve learned it through Women in Social Finance) I’ve been able to advocate on investment committees through the work that I’m doing and with my clients.
What item or items have helped get you through lockdown?
This is my bike. It’s a Bobbin, which happens to be an East London brand. I’d always been reticent about biking around London.
But lockdown has been an incredible opportunity to get comfortable on my bike and explore London, and to really see the city through a different perspective.
It’s also been a great opportunity to visit friends. In other words, a love affair with London – thanks to my bike!
